What I liked
I loved the observation that “representation” in 2023 is often still looking for “authentic representation” that aligns with existing expectations that people have, and how hard it still can be to tell stories with people that don’t align with those already existing values. I loved the high energy of the storytelling and the humor and levity woven throughout. The humor landed well and the serious moments were very impactful. A serious story wrapped in a light, colorful, fun wrapper, that sucks you in quickly. Brandon did an amazing job not only writing this story but playing all of the characters and never showing a dip in energy.
What I didn't like
Everything worked well in the show to me. It’s a tight runtime and all the time is used well. Would love to see a larger scale performance in the future that could incorporate even more production design, but nothing needs to be improved for this show to be successful.
My overall impression
This was my second time seeing “I Can’t Indian Good” and I was just as engaged on this viewing – if not even more than I was the first time. The show is topical and relevant, raising strong ideas that make for fruitful discussions and asking the right questions, about how we see ourselves in society and the importance of diversity in representation. While the story is nuanced and specific to Brandon’s life and identity, the story is told in a way that anyone can appreciate and relate to. An unapologetic celebration of embracing who you are with pride, while simultaneously letting go of feeling self inflicted shame for not living up to perceived & internalized expectations. A must see show.
